DANFORTH, Maine — If this year’s varsity girls basketball roster is any indication, the future of girls basketball at East Grand High School is in good hands.
The Vikings have just one senior, two juniors, three freshmen and four eighth-graders on the roster this season and many of the younger players will be key contributors from the onset, according to new head coach Anthony Cropley.
Cropley takes over the program from Mike Carlos, who led the Vikings for seven seasons with several postseason appearances.
“We are trying to build a different attitude and culture into the program this year,” Cropley said. “We are really looking at two or three years down the road of being a lot more competitive with the goal of reaching Bangor.”
East Grand struggled through a winless season a year ago, but Cropley is optimistic the wins will come this year.
Members of East Grand girls basketball team are senior Jordyn Cowger; juniors Madisyn Oliver and Faith Lindsey; freshmen Phoebe Foss, Madeline Cowger and Emma Davis; and eighth-graders Victoria Gilman, Jayden Williams, Danlen Espenscheild and Kayla MacClellen.
The Vikings will rely heavily on its lone senior, Jordyn Cowger, who is a five-year player for the Vikings starting as an eighth-grader herself. She will be called upon to provide key veteran leadership for the squad.
“We need to use her experience and leadership this year,” coach Cropley said. “Jordyn is a scrappy and aggressive player who doesn’t give up. All of the younger girls look up to her. She makes my job a lot easier.”
Coach Cropley said Foss and Madeline Cowger will likely be starters to begin the season. Foss is a good defender who plays aggressively, while Madeline Cowger has a nice perimeter shot that should only get better the stronger she becomes.
Espenscheild, coach Cropley’s step-daughter, will also start as an eight-grader. The tallest member of the squad at about 5-feet, 7 inches, Espenscheild will likely anchor the low post and be one of the team’s top rebounders this year.
The fifth starting spot will likely fluctuate between juniors Oliver and Lindsey, depending on the opponent, while Davis will probably be the first player off the bench, the coach said.
Cropley admits the Vikings cannot get into fast-paced, high-scoring affairs if they want to succeed this year.
“We are trying to rely on our defense and overall speed on the floor,” Cropley said. “We are not going to outshoot teams. So we are banking on being a tough, gritty, defending team.”
Assisting Cropley this year is Tammi Matula.
